Smith River, California
One of the top outdoor adventures in Smith River, California is hiking the Smith River National Recreation Area. This scenic trail is a must-visit for outdoor adventurers with its unique landscapes and natural features. The trail offers a moderate difficulty level, perfect for those seeking a challenge. Along the trail, you'll find the stunning South Fork Smith River and the striking rock formations of the Myrtle Creek Botanical Area. Other outdoor activities include fishing in the Smith River, known for its abundant salmon and steelhead. Near the location, you can also visit the Redwood National and State Parks, home to the world's tallest trees. So, if you're planning a trip to Smith River, don't miss out on these best trails and outdoor activities.
Top Spots in and near Smith River
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Klamath, California
False Klamath Cove
4.0Wilson Beach in False Klamath Cove is a small but scenic spot in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Surrounded by thick forest, the dark gray sandy beach is scattered with driftwood, interesting rocks formations, and tide pools. The small free parking area has picnic tables and is a popular spo...Read more -
Del Norte County, California
Yurok Loop Trail
4.01.23 mi / 145.01 ft gainThe Yurok Loop Trail is a small loop on the northern end of the growing California Coastal Trail. This family-friendly hike starts at a picturesque lagoon near False Klamath Cove before crossing a bridge and entering the Sitka spruce forest. From the trail junction, you have the choice of passin...Read more -
Crescent City, California
Devil's Punchbowl, Six Rivers National Forest
4.08.33 mi / 1660 ft gainLocated in extreme Northern California, the Siskiyou Mountains are the largest sub-range of the Klamath Mountain range and among the most rugged. The Siskiyou Wilderness, designated in 1984, encompasses three national forests: Siskiyou, Klamath and Six Rivers for a total of 182,802 acres. Because...Read more -
Del Norte County, California
Backpack to Raspberry Lake
1.012 mi / 1800 ft gainIf you wish to experience the beauty of the Siskiyou Wilderness and avoid the crowds associated with The Devil’s Punchbowl, then consider a visit to Raspberry Lake. Beginning at the Young’s Valley Trailhead (Coordinates: 41.889919, -123.654755), this hike is a great option for those seeking wide...Read more -
Klamath, California
Hike to the Klamath River Outlook
3.01 mi / 500 ft gainFun drive on Requa Road off 101 takes you to a great little outlook. Take the trail descent down to the beach or connect with the CA Coastal trails for a three or four mile jaunt to either Hidden Beach or Lagoon Creek Beach. This spot is a local gem with minimal visitors. It also offers a likely ...Read more -
Gold Beach, Oregon
Hike Cape Sebastian
5.02.7 mi / 718 ft gainA short hike on the southern Oregon Coast. It's a beautiful and scenic hike with amazing vistas of where the mountains meet the ocean. The hike is not very difficult, unless you decide to hike down to the beach. There are several vista points along this hike where you can stop to take pictures ...Read more -
Orick, California
Fern Canyon
4.51.12 mi / 269 ft gainFern Canyon is located within Gold Bluffs Beach at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park located some 45 miles south of Crescent City, CA. Entrance to the beach area is located on Davidson Rd off the US-101 in Orick, CA. You will need to drive for about 6 miles on the dirt road at the turn of Davidso...Read more -
Orick, California
Friendship Ridge Trail Loop via the Coastal Trail
3.07.11 mi / 1047 ft gainThis loop hike starts at the Fern Canyon Trailhead. To get to Fern Canyon, drive to the end of Davison Rd, also known as Gold Bluff Beach Road. There is a pay station at the entrance to the road ($8 in 2015). After heavy rain, the road may be impassable for passenger cars. From the parking ...Read more -
Orick, California
Hike the James Irvine Miner's Ridge Loop, Redwood National Forest
4.512 mi / 1350 ft gainWhat is known as the "James Irvine Miner's Ridge Loop" is actually a combination of trails that creates a loop in the Redwood Forest. For only being around 12 miles round trip, it is an easy way to see the diverse scenery in one hike. In a nutshell, on this hike you get some of the best features:...Read more -
Orick, California
Camp at Gold Bluff Beach
5.0Located at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, the access road to this beach is a dirt road through the redwoods. Once you arrive to the beach area there is a park booth. The charge to overnight is $35 per day. Can also pay a day use fee which is less. The campground is situated some 200 yards fro...Read more -
Gold Beach, Oregon
Explore Barley Beach
5.0It's a very uncrowded beach on the Southern Oregon Coast. This is due to the fact that it is very far from a large population density area. This beautiful beach has miles of sand to explore. The further north you go on the beach, the less crowded it will beach. This is also an occasional surf sp...Read more -
Orick, California
Cal Barrel Road
5.03.93 mi / 883 ft gainCal-Barrel Road is a gravel logging road approximately 3.5 miles long, offering a quieter, lesser-used pathway under towering old-growth redwoods adjacent to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center. The road climbs roughly 700 feet, with tight corners and a canopy of fallen needles that makes it resem...Read more -
Orick, California
Clintonia Trail Loop
4.06.98 mi / 1033 ft gainClintonia Trail Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Orick, California.Read more -
Orick, California
Explore the Prairie Creek Redwoods
4.1Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is located in Orick, CA about 50 miles North of Eureka, Ca and 25 miles South of Crescent City, CA. Take the Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway exit off of Highway 101. Along this road there is a prairie where wild Roosevelt Elk can be spotted. They are wild so keep y...Read more -
Orick, California
Prairie Creek Redwoods Loop
5.019.42 mi / 2799 ft gainThis is the itinerary for our 3 day backpacking trip at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in early May. The original plan was to backpack Redwood Creek Trail in Redwood National Park. A couple issues stopped us from doing that: The water level was too high in May and multiple Park Rangers warne...Read more -
Orick, California
Gold Bluffs & Prairie Creek Redwoods Loop
20.19 mi / 1759 ft gainThis classic cycling loop is a great way to experience a variety of scenery and riding surfaces in The Prairie Creek Redwoods. It also allows you to visit Gold Bluffs Beach and the famous Fern Canyon without the otherwise required parking permit which needs to be acquired in advance. The route he...Read more